This is the first time that I have ever seen this butterfly in person and in my backyard. I was walking past a teasel that had finished blooming and it was perched at the top. No mistaking. But, before I
could get my camera it was gone.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1483
Great Purple Hairstreak, Atlides halesus
I noted that it likes Goldenrods. I actually purchased a Goldenrod collection from Shooting Star Nursery this year.
http://shootingstarnursery.com/catalog/ ... 997944eeac
This is their website.